Beach Umbrella Shovel Anchor

ABSTRACT

A combination earth anchor and shovel capable of being used as an earth excavating tool and anchoring device having a particular application to secure an outdoor umbrella in soil.

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/859,258 filed on Aug. 18, 2010 currently pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to earth anchors designed to be particularly useful as earth excavating tools. More particularly, it relates to a device that may be used as a shovel and as an anchor to secure a device in the ground. The application further relates to such a device integrated into an outdoor umbrella assembly.

Items typically inserted into the ground such as outdoor umbrellas, posts, and signs are often not adequately supported and at times are difficult to position as desired. These objects are particularly difficult to insert into ground hard enough to adequately support them in an upright position. Ground that is soft enough for easy insertion, however, generally provides little support. Attachments exist to aid the user in inserting such objects into the ground. Common attachments include spikes, screws and flat spades. Spike attachments aid the user by decreasing the force needed to pierce though the soil. Spikes lack the ability, however, to adequately support the object in softer soil. Screw anchors allow the user to secure the object by twisting it into the ground. Screw shaped anchor attachments can be difficult to work into hard ground, and may pullout of soft sand too easily. If of sufficient size to provide adequate purchase, screw attachments will often be large, heavy and cumbersome. Spade type attachments provide a relatively easy method of inserting the object into the ground, provide increased surface area to secure the object in sandy soil and, may double as a shovel-like digging tool to excavate a hole to provide additional purchase. Absent complicated folding mechanisms, these shovel like tools often lack the cross-sectional area needed to resist pullout.

A need exists for an anchorage device which provides a means to easily insert an object, such as a beach umbrella, into the ground while providing additional stability and resistance to pullout. Such an item would desirably be capable of creating a hole in the ground, be relatively simple to use and carry, and provide adequate pull-out resistance when placed in the ground.

One particularly useful application of the present invention is in the area of beach umbrellas. People enjoying outdoor activities commonly find it desirable to rest from the direct sun in a shady area. Such shade offers protection from the sun's heat and skin damaging radiation. Not all locations possess an adequate amount of shaded areas to relax, especially beaches, where beach dwellers often desire to experience the sensations of relaxing on a sandy beach while not succumbing to blistering sun.

Erecting a temporary sun shade, such as a beach umbrella, requires one to secure the umbrella shaft or pole to the ground to prevent movement. Such umbrellas are desirably lightweight for portability and possess a sufficiently large surface so as to adequately shade an individual. Such design criteria means that the slightest breeze can shift, lift and otherwise move the umbrella from its desired location. Fixing the umbrella to the ground generally requires tools or equipment to partially burry the umbrella shaft in soil that may vary from sand to dirt, clay or rock.

Heavy screw devices, complicated folding shovel like attachments, and spiked tips all have been used with limited success to anchor umbrellas into various soil conditions. Each has certain disadvantages. For instance, the screw devices can be awkward to transport and work well only in limited soil conditions, while complicated folding shovel like attachments are prone to breaking and can add unnecessary expense to their own construction, while simple spike attachments may be wholly inadequate in sandy soil conditions often found at the beach.

There remains a need for an attachment that provides a firm anchor in a variety of soil conditions, resists pull-out, lightweight, compact, self contained and preferably attached to the umbrella shaft itself. The attachment should also be relatively easy to manufacture and use no moving parts to assemble, manipulate, wear out or break.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed anchoring device attaches to an umbrella shaft or pole and provides three general modes of use. Pressed into firm ground the wedge shape provides stability to the attached umbrella. Used as a shovel, the large flat blade allows the user to create a hole in the ground. A curved tip enables the user to easily break firm ground, while the bent shoulder step plates enable the user to comfortably exert the necessary pressure to pierce the soil. The device may then be used as a buried anchor, the device is placed in the hole and the removed soil is replaced, covering the device and enabling it to provide additional anchorage for the umbrella. A wedge shaped protrusion provides additional pull-out resistance and lateral stability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the invention attached to an umbrella pole showing the invention employed as an anchor buried below the surface of the earth.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the invention showing the invention employed as a digging apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the invention showing a user pressing the invention into the ground with the user's foot.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the invention.

FIG. 6A is a top view of the invention with a blade having a slight curvature.

FIG. 6B is a top view of the invention with a planar blade.

FIG. 7A is a right side view of the invention shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7B is a right side view of the invention shown in FIG. 6B.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention having opposing thumbscrews.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the embodiment having opposing thumbscrews.

FIG. 10 is a front view of an embodiment having a front face lacking a pronounced concave depression corresponding to the wedge shaped protrusion.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the invention shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-section of the invention taken on line 12-12 of FIG. 10 showing the non-uniform thickness of the wedge shaped feature.

FIG. 13 is a front view of another embodiment of the invention formed from stamped sheet metal.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a perspective top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a cross-section of the invention taken on line 17-17 of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The drawings illustrate an invention that enables an individual to secure an object such as a beach umbrella in the ground.

FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the present invention 1 employed as an anchor below the surface 10 of the ground 5, anchoring a device 13, such as the shown beach umbrella 13, in a desired orientation. The invention enables a user 3 to secure the umbrella 13 from movement and enjoy shade and wind protection in an otherwise unprotected area such as a beach 6 beside an ocean 7. The device 13 to which the invention 1 is attached, may be secured in a non-releasable manner, including but not limited to: welding, bonding, gluing, riveting, press fitting, crimping or any combination thereof. The device may be secured to the invention 1 in a releasable manner including such means, including but not limited to: clamping, screwing, threading, bolting, clipping or any combination thereof. In this embodiment, the invention 1 is releasably secured at the neck or socket portion 110. Here, the umbrella shaft 15 is inserted into the socket portion 110 of the invention 1 and releasably secured with thumb screw clamps 105.

The invention's blade portion 120 increases the surface area upon which pressure exerted by the soil 5, including sand, dirt, gravel, rock, clay, and mixtures thereof, can act upon the umbrella shaft 15 to maintain the desired position of the umbrella 13. A wedge shaped feature 140 extends outward from the rear surface of the blade 120. The wedge shaped feature 140 of the blade 120 provides additional surfaces 145, 150 and 152 against which the soil 5 can act upon. The triangular shaped left lateral wedge surface 150 and corresponding right lateral wedge surface 152, increase the lateral surface area and increase the blades resistance to side to side movement. The upper surface 145 of the wedge feature 140 increases the horizontal surface area thereby increasing the invention's resistance to being pulled vertically out of the ground 5. While these surfaces 145, 150 and 152 are shown in the present embodiment as planar, it should be understood that such surfaces may be curved and blended to form a protrusion in the general shape of a wedge having curved edges and non-planar surfaces.

FIG. 2 shows the user 3 employing the invention 1 as a digging apparatus. The blade portion 120 enables the user to remove soil 5 forming a hole 30. Once the user 3 digs the hole 20 to an adequate depth, the user can place the invention 1 and attached device to be anchored 13, in the hole 30. After placement, the user 3 refills the hole with the previously removed soil 35 securing the device in the desired orientation.

The rounded tip 125 aids the user in breaking though firm soil. The wedge shaped feature 140 on the rear surface 123 of the blade portion 120 provides additional strength. The present embodiment shows the wedge shaped feature 140 having a corresponding concave depression 143 on the front 121 surface of the blade portion 120. The depression 143 further aids in removal of the dirt by enabling the invention to hold a larger volume of soil 5 that it could without the depression 143. Alternatively, the invention may possess a wedge feature 140, but lack the concave wedge shaped depression 143. In such an embodiment, the blade 120 would have a generally flat front surface 121. Furthermore, regardless whether the invention possesses a wedge shaped depression 143, the invention may have a planar blade 120, or as shown in the present embodiment the blade 120 may have a slight curvature where the right lateral edge 126 and the left lateral edge 128 are slightly curved upward toward the front face 121 of the invention 1.

FIG. 3 shows the user 3 pressing the invention 1 into the soil 5. The shoulder 127 of the blade 120 provides a surface for the user 3 to step. In the preferred embodiment, the shoulder 127 protrudes rearward and is connected to the top edge 122 of the blade 120. The shoulder 127 also provides additional strength to the blade 120 and improved pullout resistance when the blade 120 is buried.

FIG. 4 shows the invention 1 from a front perspective view. The front surface 121 of the blade 120 possesses a concave wedge shaped indention 143 corresponding to the wedge shaped feature 140. This wedge shaped indention 143 possesses a right lateral surfaces 147 and a left lateral surface 149 that aid in resisting side-to-side movement of the invention 1 when buried in soil 5. Lateral surfaces 147 and 149 also provide additional strength to the blade 120. The neck or socket portion 110 possesses a bore 113 adapted for receipt of the shaft 15 of the object to be secured 13. One or more thumb screws 105 secure the shaft 15 inside the bore 113 of the socket 110.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the invention 1. The blade portion 120 is generally rectangular in shape, but may possess a rounded tip 125 to aid the user in piercing harder soil 5.

The blade rear surface 123, surrounds the wedge shaped feature 140 on the sides and top, while the tip portion 125 of the blade rear surface 123, is located below the wedge shaped feature surrounds the wedge 140 on the bottom side. The wedge 140, is thus encircled by the rear surface of the blade on the left, right, top and bottom sides of the wedge 140. The rear surface 123 provides a non-parallel surface to the rear wedge surface, against which the soil may act. The blade and wedge surfaces form a simply connected surface, having no holes in them through which soil could pass, reducing the effectiveness of the device as an anchor.

FIG. 6A shows a top view of the invention 1. The blade portion 120 possesses a curvature for increased strength and to help contain soil when the device is used as a digging apparatus. Thumbscrews 105 are threaded into the rear portion of the socket 110. From this perspective, the top portion of each shoulder 127 of the blade 120 can be seen. The shoulder 120 provides increased surface area to allow the user to press the invention 1 into the soil with increased comfort. The shoulder 127 also helps to increase the overall strength of the blade 120.

FIG. 6B shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of the invention 1 where the blade 120 lacks a curvature. In this embodiment, the blade surface is planar, with or without the wedge shaped depression 143. The planar blade 120 increases resistance for increased stability when anchored in soil 5.

FIG. 7A shows a left side view of the invention 1. The wedge shaped feature 140 can be seen protruding rearward from the blade 120 of the invention forming a horizontal surface area 145 for increased vertical pullout resistance. The socket portion 110 is shown at a slight angle from the blade 120 to aid in removal of soil when used as a digging apparatus. The socket portion 110 possesses a capped end portion 112 to prevent ingress of sand or other soil into the hollow tubular portion of the socket 110 and prevent egress of the secured shaft 15 past the lower end of the socket 110.

FIG. 7B shows a left side view of the alternative embodiment of the invention 1 shown in FIG. 6B where the blade 120 surface is planar, with or without the wedge shaped depression 143.

FIG. 8 shows a front prospective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention 1 having opposing thumb screws 105 on the left and right sides of the tubular neck portion 110. A pointed tip 225 provides easier penetration into hard soils. The wedge shaped feature 140 provides additional pull out stability while a shoulder 127 provides a comfortable step along the top edge of the blade 120 for pressing the wedge shaped feature below the surface of the soil.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the alternative embodiment having opposing thumb screws 105. The inventions wedge shaped feature possesses an upper surface 145 positioned below the top edge 127 of the blade 120.

FIG. 10 shows a front view of another alternative embodiment of the invention 1 where the front face 121 of the blade 120 lacks a pronounced concave depression corresponding to the wedge shaped feature. The front face 121 is generally planar where the blade 120 is planar, or following the contour of the shape of the blade 120. In this particular embodiment, the front face 121 follows the slight curvature of the blade 120, the blade 120 being slightly curved about a vertical axis.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of the alternative embodiment of the invention 1 lacking a pronounced concave depression corresponding to the wedge shaped feature. The wedge shaped feature 140 protrudes from the rear face 123 of the blade portion 120 of the invention 1. The top surface 145 of the wedge 140 is positioned below the top edge 127 of the blade 120.

FIG. 12 shows a cross-section of the invention 1 taken on line 12-12 in FIG. 10. The wedge shaped feature 140 possesses a non-uniform thickness of the wedge portion as measured from the front face 121 of the blade portion 120 to the rear wedge surface 151. In this embodiment one can observe the narrowing of the thickness of the wedge from the top of the wedge 140 to the bottom of the wedge 140. The neck portion 110 possesses a bore 113. The bore 113 forms an inner bore surface 115. As with other embodiments of the invention 1, the top surface 145 of the wedge 140 is positioned below the top edge 122 of the blade 120. When the user steps upon the shoulder 127 of the blade 120, pushing the blade 120 such that the top edge 122 is level with the top surface of the soil, the top surface 145 of the wedge 140 will be below the soil surface, providing additional pull-out resistance of the invention.

FIG. 13 shows a front view of yet another embodiment of the invention 1 where the invention 1 is formed from a sheet of material such as being stamped from sheet metal. The elongated neck portion 110 possesses a thumb screw 105 for securing the end of an umbrella shaft in the interior bore 113 of the neck portion 110. The blade 120 has a slightly wider shape toward the top of the blade, and narrows toward the middle and bottom portion s of the blade when viewed from the front. The neck portion 110 is formed from the folding or wrapping of a portion of the sheet to form a cylindrical socket or bore for receiving the end of the umbrella shaft. The blade portion 120 is formed from another portion of the sheet being bent into the desired shape. The wedge shaped feature 140 may also be bent from this portion of the sheet. This construction saves assembly steps by forming the socket, blade and wedge from the same sheet material, while allowing the use of curves to strengthen the structure of the invention.

FIG. 14 shows a side view of the embodiment of the invention. In the current embodiment, the blade 120 and lower portion of the elongated neck 110 possess a curved shape. The protruding wedge 140 is and lower tip portion of the blade 120 are angled from the axis of the neck portion 110. This angle provides additional vertical pull out resistance, while the top surface 145 of the wedge 140 provides additional pull out resistance.

FIG. 15 shows a rear view of the current embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the elongated neck portion 110 is formed from the wrapping of the sheet metal in a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shape forms a bore 113 in which the end of a shaft of an umbrella may be secured. In this particular embodiment, the walls of the elongated neck portion 110 do not completely encircle the bore 113, leaving a vertical opening 117 along the rear surface of the neck portion 110.

FIG. 16 shows a top perspective view of the current embodiment of the invention 1. The neck portion 110 possesses a generally cylindrical inner bore 113. The bore 113 forms an inner bore surface 115. The thumbscrew 105 passes from the outer circumferential surface of the neck portion and through the inner bore surface 115. In this particular embodiment, the wall of the neck portion 110 do not completely encircle the bore 113, leaving a small gap 117.

FIG. 17 is a partial cross-section side view of the lower portion and tip 125 of the blade portion 120 of the current embodiment of the invention 1 taken on line 17-17 of FIG. 13. The interior of the wedge may possess an optional fillet plate 153, or otherwise possess a filled section, in the upper corner of the wedge. The fillet plate 153 may be welded, riveted, glued, or otherwise secured to the blade portion 120 of the invention 1. The fillet plate 153 or filled section allows for easier penetration of the blade 120 into the soil. 

1. An anchorage device for securing an umbrella in a generally upright position, said umbrella having a canopy and a shaft, comprising: a generally tubular socket portion for receiving said shaft of said umbrella, said tubular socket having an axis centered within said socket; a blade, said blade having an upper edge, a lower edge, a right lateral edge and a left lateral edge, a front surface and a rear surface, said blade generally symmetric about a plane perpendicular to said blade and intersecting said axis: a wedge shaped feature extending from the rear surface of said blade having a solid upper surface, a right lateral surface, a left lateral surface, a front surface and a rear surface, said wedge shaped protrusion having a width extending from said right lateral surface to said left lateral surface and a depth extending from said protrusion's rear surface to said blade's rear surface, said width greater than said depth, said wedge upper surface having a surface area substantially equivalent to said depth times said width, said upper surface positioned below said upper edge of said blade.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said blade's lower edge extends downward forming a curved tip centered on said lower edge.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said wedge shaped protrusion possesses a generally uniform thickness and forms a corresponding wedge shaped concave depression on said front surface of said blade, said concave depression having a front surface, a right lateral surface, a left lateral surface, and an upper surface.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the front surface of said blade has a generally flat surface, wherein said wedge shaped protrusion possesses a non-uniform thickness from the front surface of said blade to the rear surface of said wedge shaped protrusion.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said blade possesses a shoulder portion attached at said upper edge of said blade having an upper surface generally perpendicular to the surface of said blade.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein said socket portion possesses at least one threaded hole for receiving at least one threaded screw.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein said socket portion possesses an upper opening for receipt of said umbrella shaft, and a closed lower portion.
 8. An anchoring device for securing an umbrella shaft in soil comprising: a vertically elongated cylindrical neck portion having a vertical bore extending therein adapted for receiving said umbrella shaft, said neck portion having an outer surface at least partially encircling the circumference said bore, said bore forming an inner bore surface at least partially encircling the circumference of said bore; a vertically oriented blade portion possessing a front surface, rear surface, a left lateral edge, a right lateral edge, a lower edge and an upper edge, said blade portion attached to said neck portion; a wedge shaped feature extending from the rear surface of said blade, said wedge having a front wedge surface, a rear wedge surface, a right lateral surface, a left lateral surface, a closed upper surface, an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion protruding farther from said rear blade surface than said lower portion said wedge having a width extending from said right lateral surface to said left lateral surface and a depth extending from said wedge's rear surface to said blade's rear surface, said width being greater than said depth, said wedge upper surface having a surface area substantially equivalent to said depth times said width, said upper wedge surface located below said upper edge of said blade.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein said invention is formed from the bending of a sheet of material, said vertically elongated cylindrical neck portion is formed from the bending of a portion of said sheet into a tubular shape, said blade portion formed from the bending of another portion of said sheet.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein said-right lateral surface and said left lateral surface are generally parallel to one another and generally perpendicular to said blade, said upper wedge surface generally perpendicular to said blade.
 11. The device of claim 8, wherein said blade's lower edge extends downward forming a curved tip centered on said lower edge.
 12. The device of claim 8, wherein said wedge shaped feature possesses a generally uniform thickness and forms a corresponding wedge shaped concave depression on said front wedge surface.
 13. The device of claim 10, wherein said wedge shaped feature possesses a generally uniform thickness and forms a corresponding wedge shaped concave depression on said front wedge surface, said concave depression having a front surface, a right lateral surface, a left lateral surface, and an upper surface.
 14. The device of claim 8, wherein the front surface of said blade has a generally flat surface, wherein said wedge shaped feature possesses a non-uniform thickness from the front wedge surface to the rear wedge surface.
 15. The device of claim 8, wherein said blade possesses a shoulder portion attached at said upper edge of said blade having an upper surface generally perpendicular to the surface of said blade.
 16. The device of claim 8, wherein said neck portion possesses at least one threaded hole extending from said outer surface of said neck portion to said inner bore surface, said threaded hole adapted to receive at least one threaded screw.
 17. The device of claim 8, wherein said bore of said neck portion is open at the upper portion of said neck and a closed at the lower portion of said neck.
 18. An anchoring device for securing an umbrella shaft in soil comprising: a vertically elongated neck portion having a vertical bore extending therein adapted for receiving said umbrella shaft; a blade portion possessing a front surface, rear surface, a left lateral edge, a right lateral edge, a lower edge and an upper edge, said blade portion attached to said neck portion; a wedge shaped feature extending from the rear surface of said blade, said wedge having a front wedge surface, a rear wedge surface, a right lateral surface, a left lateral surface, a solid upper surface, an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion protruding farther from said rear blade surface than said lower portion said wedge having a width extending from said right lateral surface to said left lateral surface and a depth extending from said wedge's rear surface to said blade's rear surface, said width being greater than said depth, said rear surface of said blade encircling the rear wedge surface, said rear wedge surface and said rear surface of said blade forming a simply connected surface, said solid upper surface lying below said upper edge of said blade. 